ASUS ZenFone Max Plus M1 available now in the US

Steering clear of both Samsung and Sony, ASUS has just announced a dizzying number of phones under its ZenFone line, almost all of them under the ZenFone 5 generation. And to make matters even more confusing, the Taiwanese OEM just announced a non-5 ZenFone model as well, one that was already launched late last year. But while the new ZenFone 5 phones are still coming, the not so new ZenFone Max Plus M1 is now available for purchase in the US.

Launched in Russia and some other markets last year, the ZenFone Max Plus, without the M1, is advertised to be ASUS' first model in its new ZenFone Max line, without the number. It also happens to be one of if not its first 18:9 screen phone. That comes via a 5.7-inch 2160x1080 display crammed inside a 5.2-inch body.

Despite the Max moniker, it's doesn't have maximum specs. The ZenFone Max Plus M1 is your stereotypical mid-range phone, running on a 1.5 GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6750T processor, with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of expandable storage. It does, at least, have a dual cameras on the back, one 16 megapixel and another 120-degree wide-angle 8 megapixel sensor. Selfie lovers will love the 16 megapixel f/2.0 camera on the front.

ASUS is positioning the new ZenFone Max series not as large phablets. In fact, there will be different sizes to potentially confuse buyers. Instead, it will be all about the battery, a 4,130 mAh one in the case of the ZenFone Max Plus M1. The recently announced ZenFone Max M1 (no Plus) has a slightly smaller 4,000 mAh battery.

As mentioned, the ZenFone 5 series' availability hasn't yet been disclosed. But if you want an ASUS-branded battery monster right now, you can already buy the ASUS ZenFone Max Plus M1 unlocked from ASUS, Best Buy, Amazon, and Newegg, available in Azure Silver and Deepsea Black colors.